From drumming with its roots in Africa, to Spanish-influenced guitar and harp music and the indigenous contribution of maracas, Venezuelan music is largely unknown outside the country.
With a blog based on videos of key groups and individuals I hope this music will reach a wider public and get the attention it deserves.
Joropo, calypso, tambores, salsa, cumbia, pop, rock, Latin jazz, electronica - even slushy love songs by soap opera stars - Venezuela has it all.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Musica Llanera - Caballo Viejo

Probably one of Simon Diaz' most famous songs, Caballo Viejo (Old Horse), was allegedly written by the singer to a young beauty queen. He might be an old horse, goes the song, but he still fancies his chances. It has the typical Llanos accompaniment of maracas, harp and cuatro (small, four stringed guitar). The video couldn't be slushier, but if you're into soft-focus and longing looks across a plate of steaming arepas, this one is for you. The Gipsy Kings called this song "Bamboleo" and had a huge hit with it. But Simon Diaz wrote it.

Caballo ViejoTranslated by Russell Maddicks

When love arrives like this, in this way
you don't even realise
The genipap tree comes to life again
The guamacho tree flowers
and the rope snaps

The horse is put out to pasture
because he is old and tired
but they don't realize
that a heart that is tied
when the reins are released
becomes a runaway horse

And if the old horse meets
a chestnut filly
his heart is pulverized
He ignores the bridle
and he ignores the bit
and false reins don't stop him

When love arrives like this, in this way
you are not to blame
love has no schedule
or a date on the calendar
when desires are joined

The horse is put out to pasture
and his days are numbered
he crosses the plains
with a hurried step
to meet his filly
who has poisoned him

The colt has time for time
but because he's too old
the old horse cannot
lose the flower he's given
because when this life is over
there are no more chances

Hello, It seems you know a lot of the music in Latin America.I saw the song "Caballo Viejo" on your site. I like the song "Caballo Viejo" a lot. I have a few questions about that song. Do you know from what year it is and who recorded it first? Some say it was written in the 60's some say in 1980.I hope you can give me an answer.

oh man... you made me cry... really... i am far from my country and when i read about you wrote in your blog with such passion and listened the best song from Venezuela .... really you broke my heart... thank you man.... whenever you want to return to Venezuela you could stay in my home.... big hug for you

Russsell, this is awesome! I have published your translation on the A S Inner Circle network. I've sent you an invitation to join the network so that you can go the page where I posted it (with a link to your blog, of course!)

I just bought a CD called Ambassador (? is the Spanish the same as the English) from a booth. I was drawn by the voice of Roberto Torres. I'm not into any kind of music so the phrase "I never heard of him before" seems rather silly. I hope it has the song Caballo Viejo. I also like the voice of Julio Jaramillo. Thank you.

Oh, Diego... man what a bad video of a great song.Why are there no decent videos of Simon Diaz on Youtube? Don't his family realize how important he is as an artist?If decent videos of his performances and songs were available more people would know his music and more CDs would be sold around the world.It's a win-win situation for Tio Simon so I can't see why his manager and promoters don't do something about this.Typical shortsighted music business, sitting on all the archives for a profit that might never come.

What can I say? His manager is his daughter. Given that almost all his family is in showbusiness, like you said, shortsight prevailes. However, some efforts are being made to give him the place that he deserves, like some audio material and some quality videos. A good example of this is the launch of a CD with the original recording of "Golpe y Pasaje" and "Caballo Viejo" , and also a CD with a compilation of "tonadas"

By the way the singer in the video is Teo Galindez, a famous Venezuelan singer, on of my favourite singer of Llanera Music.

The song describe the romantic situation when an old man (Caballo Viejo - Old Horse) meets with a young lady (Potra Alazana - Chesnut Filly).I think any old man in the world dreams to live that situation. Wow! What experience!

thank you for a wonderful transcription of such a beautiful song!Simon Diaz "Tio Simon " one of many great exponents of Venezuelan music.i've being living out of Venezuela for 21 years .Thank you so much for bringing beautiful memories back to me!

A beautiful song. This is a great song to play with the Venezuelan Cuatro. I am playing now and learning online with www.tucuatro.com and this is one of the songs they teach. Wonderful song for the Venezuelan Cuatro.

My book: Bradt Guide to Venezuela

My book: Culture Smart! Venezuela

About Me

After 12 years of adventuring in Venezuela I came back to try my luck in the UK.
Although I try to visit Venezuela as often as I can it does tug at my heart strings some nights that I am too far from Choroni to hear the tambores on the malecon.
Fortunately my job as a journalist in England allows me to follow Venezuelan and Latin American developments and keep my Spanish up to scratch.
The UK is also a good place to do research and meet other like-minded Latin-America-philes for proper rum and salsa sessions.